The ETUC opposed the European Commission’s 2004 draft Directive on liberalising cross-border services in the internal market (the so-called Bolkestein Directive). We demanded that Member States should be able to enforce their own national rules to protect the public interest, and labour law to be excluded from the legislation. Thanks to a strong campaign and sustained opposition from unions across Europe, the ETUC achieved substantial amendments to the law.

Europe needs quality services with fair competition between providers and good conditions for workers.